Julia Ann Atwater was born near Collinsville in 1817, the daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Walker) Atwater. Her father was a school teacher in early Edwardsville circa 1810. She and her parents were among the first members of the Methodist Church later to become St. John's M. E. Church of Edwardsville. The Edwardsville Intelligencer 1 April 1927 reported a history of St. John's M. E. Church. Samuel H. Thompson and John Hogan were pastors of the Edwardsville Circuit in September 1827. There was no church building in town. John Hogan preached Sunday afternoons in a small school house that stood on the present site of the Wildey theatre. The following December 1827, the first Methodist Church was organized with twenty one members. Richard Randle was the first Class leader. During the winter a revival was held and the Atwater family was received into the society with other "all influential citizens of the town." This group included Julia, her mother, Rebecca, and her father, Joshua Atwater. Miss Atwater married Edward Mitchell West 05 May 1835 in Madison County, IL. Of nine children born to this couple, sadly, only three survived to adulthood: Virginia, wife of Major W. R. Prickett; Mary, wife of Senator W. F. L. Hadley; and Norah L., wife of O.L. Taylor.
According to the brochure, HISTORIC TOUR OF ST. LOUIS STREET, sponsored by Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. and Mrs. West built the Italianate & Greek Revival-style brick home at 627 St. Louis Street. Circa 1875 as a wedding gift, they presented their daughter and son-in-law, William Flavius Lester and Mary (West) Hadley, with the property and house across the street from their home. Today this Hadley House at 708 St. Louis Street serves as the home of the Edwardsville–Glen Carbon school district.
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Mrs. West's obituary, Intelligencer 7 March 1877, follows:
DIED – On the 3d Inst., in this city, Mrs. Julia A. West, wife of Hon. E. M. West, and daughter of the late Joshua Atwater.
The funeral services took place at the resident on the 5th, in presence of a large audience of friends how had come to evidence their esteem for the memory of the departed.
The services were conducted by Rev. F. A. Hoyt, of the M. E. church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Root [sic] of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Jub. Hogan of St. Louis.
From a paper read on the occasion by Judge H. K. Eaton, we get the following facts:
Mrs. West was born near Collinsville, on the 5th of March, 1817, and has always lived in St. Clair and Madison counties, and at the time of her decease had probably lived longer in Edwardsville than anyone who ever resided in this city.
Received into the M. E. church by Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, when ten years of age, she became one of the first class of that church in 1827, of which Rev. Richard Randle, now of Salem, Illinois, was the leader. She was the last surviving member of the twenty persons who formed that society.
Knowing her intimately well for over forty years, I can say that I never knew a person of purer life than hers. She loved truth and practiced it as perfectly as can be done in human life, guided by a clear intellect, and aided by Divine wisdom and strength. For fifty years she was a christian in all that word means, uniform in her experience and settled in her convictions of Bible truth. Without pretense and peculiarly conscientious, she never said anything which her judgment did not approve, nor did anything that her conscience condemned. Never were parents blessed with a better child –a husband with a truer wife, or children with a more loving mother. All who came within her influence were impressed with the dignity and excellence of her character. For forty-two years she had made her home a place of holy joy to her family, and of welcome to her friends and acquaintances. All who knew her esteemed her, and they who knew her best loved her most.
Although an invalid for two years, her sick chamber was the most cheerful room in the household. She suffered without complaining, and was cheerful and happy where many find cause of despondency and sorrow. Of ripe and cultivated intellect and discerning christian faith, she found sources of enjoyment and cause of hope and gratitude where many feel discouragement and sadness.
Of nine children two survive her, and a husband who will never cense [sic] to love and cherish her memory as the richest treasure of life.
The day, which would have completed the sixtieth year of her age, finds many loving friends gather to bear her from her pleasant home to her last resting place. While she leaves to the church in Edwardsville, of which she was a member for fifty years, the valued legacy of a holy and useful life, and to her family and friends the sweet memories of affection and benevolence, and rising to a higher and heavenly life, and joining many loved and kindred spirits, will enter that rest of joy and blessedness prepared for the faithful and the pure.
-----
Julia (Atwater) West, Caroline (Fix) Wolf, others, and the serenity of Woodlawn Cemetery were recalled in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, 20 June 1877:
Woodlawn Cemetery
[To the Editor]
We attended, a few weeks ago, the funeral of Mrs. Caroline Wolf, a lady whose exemplary life as a mother, wife and christian [sic], called on us to join the procession which was paying this last tribute of respect to her memory. The interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. We lingered after others had departed, to take a view of this resting place of the departed.
The afternoon was bewitching. The long-continued rains had ceased on the previous day and the freshness of spring was in very tree and shrub, and the birds were singing amid then green foliage. We strolled over the ground. Many elegant monuments are there. We paused, a few moments, before a neat slab which indicated the place of rest of Richard Sappington. We had known him well. He attained a happy old age. It was pleasant, there, to recount his virtues and be able to say, here rests one who was honest, trustworthy, and with scarce a fault-a christian [sic] who in his last moments could hopefully say, "home is near now, weep not, but follow on." Further on a pure white marble, within the enclosure of which were beautiful flowers, tokens of love, showed the spot where we had seen deposited the last remains of a youth of genius and promise, young George Burnett, called away whilst yet young. We recalled how many pleasant moments we had spent with this interesting child and we also recalled how many fond hopes were crushed when mother earth took to her bosom this gifted youth.
The name of Julia A. West, newly inscribed on a monument of faultless grace, attracted our attention. With that name we had always associated love and devotion to family and a self-sacrifice for others. We recalled that pleasant home hallowed by her presence, and we recalled a just tribute to her worth when, fifteen years ago, we heard the husband say that his marriage day had proved "the blessed day of his life." Her memory is fondly cherished by husband and children. Several beloved children had preceded her, and in her christian [sic] faith, she could well believe that they would be the first to meet her in heaven.
Of the departed, space will not allow us to say more, now, though we would gladly allude to the resting place of Mrs. Armbruster and others, embellished with many beautiful tokens of love, evincing "how sweet is the cherished memory of the loved and lost."
In these grounds little gardens of rare flowers abound, and wreaths and crowns of immortelles are seen everywhere. Among the varied forest trees are planted firs, cedars, pines and junipers. How beautifully romantic these grounds be. There is scarce an acres but has a beauty peculiar to itself. You may have sunshine, or if you prefer, you may find the deep wood where the mourner can seek the luxury of solitary grief. As we passed along the shaded paths of this silent city of the dead it occurred to us that this region could afford few more lovely, more tranquil or more sacred spots ht [sic] ... place to take our rest.
M
According to the brochure, HISTORIC TOUR OF ST. LOUIS STREET, sponsored by Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. and Mrs. West built the Italianate & Greek Revival-style brick home at 627 St. Louis Street. Circa 1875 as a wedding gift, they presented their daughter and son-in-law, William Flavius Lester and Mary (West) Hadley, with the property and house across the street from their home. Today this Hadley House at 708 St. Louis Street serves as the home of the Edwardsville–Glen Carbon school district.
---
Mrs. West's obituary, Intelligencer 7 March 1877, follows:
DIED – On the 3d Inst., in this city, Mrs. Julia A. West, wife of Hon. E. M. West, and daughter of the late Joshua Atwater.
The funeral services took place at the resident on the 5th, in presence of a large audience of friends how had come to evidence their esteem for the memory of the departed.
The services were conducted by Rev. F. A. Hoyt, of the M. E. church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Root [sic] of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Jub. Hogan of St. Louis.
From a paper read on the occasion by Judge H. K. Eaton, we get the following facts:
Mrs. West was born near Collinsville, on the 5th of March, 1817, and has always lived in St. Clair and Madison counties, and at the time of her decease had probably lived longer in Edwardsville than anyone who ever resided in this city.
Received into the M. E. church by Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, when ten years of age, she became one of the first class of that church in 1827, of which Rev. Richard Randle, now of Salem, Illinois, was the leader. She was the last surviving member of the twenty persons who formed that society.
Knowing her intimately well for over forty years, I can say that I never knew a person of purer life than hers. She loved truth and practiced it as perfectly as can be done in human life, guided by a clear intellect, and aided by Divine wisdom and strength. For fifty years she was a christian in all that word means, uniform in her experience and settled in her convictions of Bible truth. Without pretense and peculiarly conscientious, she never said anything which her judgment did not approve, nor did anything that her conscience condemned. Never were parents blessed with a better child –a husband with a truer wife, or children with a more loving mother. All who came within her influence were impressed with the dignity and excellence of her character. For forty-two years she had made her home a place of holy joy to her family, and of welcome to her friends and acquaintances. All who knew her esteemed her, and they who knew her best loved her most.
Although an invalid for two years, her sick chamber was the most cheerful room in the household. She suffered without complaining, and was cheerful and happy where many find cause of despondency and sorrow. Of ripe and cultivated intellect and discerning christian faith, she found sources of enjoyment and cause of hope and gratitude where many feel discouragement and sadness.
Of nine children two survive her, and a husband who will never cense [sic] to love and cherish her memory as the richest treasure of life.
The day, which would have completed the sixtieth year of her age, finds many loving friends gather to bear her from her pleasant home to her last resting place. While she leaves to the church in Edwardsville, of which she was a member for fifty years, the valued legacy of a holy and useful life, and to her family and friends the sweet memories of affection and benevolence, and rising to a higher and heavenly life, and joining many loved and kindred spirits, will enter that rest of joy and blessedness prepared for the faithful and the pure.
-----
Julia (Atwater) West, Caroline (Fix) Wolf, others, and the serenity of Woodlawn Cemetery were recalled in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, 20 June 1877:
Woodlawn Cemetery
[To the Editor]
We attended, a few weeks ago, the funeral of Mrs. Caroline Wolf, a lady whose exemplary life as a mother, wife and christian [sic], called on us to join the procession which was paying this last tribute of respect to her memory. The interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. We lingered after others had departed, to take a view of this resting place of the departed.
The afternoon was bewitching. The long-continued rains had ceased on the previous day and the freshness of spring was in very tree and shrub, and the birds were singing amid then green foliage. We strolled over the ground. Many elegant monuments are there. We paused, a few moments, before a neat slab which indicated the place of rest of Richard Sappington. We had known him well. He attained a happy old age. It was pleasant, there, to recount his virtues and be able to say, here rests one who was honest, trustworthy, and with scarce a fault-a christian [sic] who in his last moments could hopefully say, "home is near now, weep not, but follow on." Further on a pure white marble, within the enclosure of which were beautiful flowers, tokens of love, showed the spot where we had seen deposited the last remains of a youth of genius and promise, young George Burnett, called away whilst yet young. We recalled how many pleasant moments we had spent with this interesting child and we also recalled how many fond hopes were crushed when mother earth took to her bosom this gifted youth.
The name of Julia A. West, newly inscribed on a monument of faultless grace, attracted our attention. With that name we had always associated love and devotion to family and a self-sacrifice for others. We recalled that pleasant home hallowed by her presence, and we recalled a just tribute to her worth when, fifteen years ago, we heard the husband say that his marriage day had proved "the blessed day of his life." Her memory is fondly cherished by husband and children. Several beloved children had preceded her, and in her christian [sic] faith, she could well believe that they would be the first to meet her in heaven.
Of the departed, space will not allow us to say more, now, though we would gladly allude to the resting place of Mrs. Armbruster and others, embellished with many beautiful tokens of love, evincing "how sweet is the cherished memory of the loved and lost."
In these grounds little gardens of rare flowers abound, and wreaths and crowns of immortelles are seen everywhere. Among the varied forest trees are planted firs, cedars, pines and junipers. How beautifully romantic these grounds be. There is scarce an acres but has a beauty peculiar to itself. You may have sunshine, or if you prefer, you may find the deep wood where the mourner can seek the luxury of solitary grief. As we passed along the shaded paths of this silent city of the dead it occurred to us that this region could afford few more lovely, more tranquil or more sacred spots ht [sic] ... place to take our rest.
M
Julia Ann Atwater was born near Collinsville in 1817, the daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Walker) Atwater. Her father was a school teacher in early Edwardsville circa 1810. She and her parents were among the first members of the Methodist Church later to become St. John's M. E. Church of Edwardsville. The Edwardsville Intelligencer 1 April 1927 reported a history of St. John's M. E. Church. Samuel H. Thompson and John Hogan were pastors of the Edwardsville Circuit in September 1827. There was no church building in town. John Hogan preached Sunday afternoons in a small school house that stood on the present site of the Wildey theatre. The following December 1827, the first Methodist Church was organized with twenty one members. Richard Randle was the first Class leader. During the winter a revival was held and the Atwater family was received into the society with other "all influential citizens of the town." This group included Julia, her mother, Rebecca, and her father, Joshua Atwater. Miss Atwater married Edward Mitchell West 05 May 1835 in Madison County, IL. Of nine children born to this couple, sadly, only three survived to adulthood: Virginia, wife of Major W. R. Prickett; Mary, wife of Senator W. F. L. Hadley; and Norah L., wife of O.L. Taylor.
According to the brochure, HISTORIC TOUR OF ST. LOUIS STREET, sponsored by Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. and Mrs. West built the Italianate & Greek Revival-style brick home at 627 St. Louis Street. Circa 1875 as a wedding gift, they presented their daughter and son-in-law, William Flavius Lester and Mary (West) Hadley, with the property and house across the street from their home. Today this Hadley House at 708 St. Louis Street serves as the home of the Edwardsville–Glen Carbon school district.
---
Mrs. West's obituary, Intelligencer 7 March 1877, follows:
DIED – On the 3d Inst., in this city, Mrs. Julia A. West, wife of Hon. E. M. West, and daughter of the late Joshua Atwater.
The funeral services took place at the resident on the 5th, in presence of a large audience of friends how had come to evidence their esteem for the memory of the departed.
The services were conducted by Rev. F. A. Hoyt, of the M. E. church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Root [sic] of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Jub. Hogan of St. Louis.
From a paper read on the occasion by Judge H. K. Eaton, we get the following facts:
Mrs. West was born near Collinsville, on the 5th of March, 1817, and has always lived in St. Clair and Madison counties, and at the time of her decease had probably lived longer in Edwardsville than anyone who ever resided in this city.
Received into the M. E. church by Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, when ten years of age, she became one of the first class of that church in 1827, of which Rev. Richard Randle, now of Salem, Illinois, was the leader. She was the last surviving member of the twenty persons who formed that society.
Knowing her intimately well for over forty years, I can say that I never knew a person of purer life than hers. She loved truth and practiced it as perfectly as can be done in human life, guided by a clear intellect, and aided by Divine wisdom and strength. For fifty years she was a christian in all that word means, uniform in her experience and settled in her convictions of Bible truth. Without pretense and peculiarly conscientious, she never said anything which her judgment did not approve, nor did anything that her conscience condemned. Never were parents blessed with a better child –a husband with a truer wife, or children with a more loving mother. All who came within her influence were impressed with the dignity and excellence of her character. For forty-two years she had made her home a place of holy joy to her family, and of welcome to her friends and acquaintances. All who knew her esteemed her, and they who knew her best loved her most.
Although an invalid for two years, her sick chamber was the most cheerful room in the household. She suffered without complaining, and was cheerful and happy where many find cause of despondency and sorrow. Of ripe and cultivated intellect and discerning christian faith, she found sources of enjoyment and cause of hope and gratitude where many feel discouragement and sadness.
Of nine children two survive her, and a husband who will never cense [sic] to love and cherish her memory as the richest treasure of life.
The day, which would have completed the sixtieth year of her age, finds many loving friends gather to bear her from her pleasant home to her last resting place. While she leaves to the church in Edwardsville, of which she was a member for fifty years, the valued legacy of a holy and useful life, and to her family and friends the sweet memories of affection and benevolence, and rising to a higher and heavenly life, and joining many loved and kindred spirits, will enter that rest of joy and blessedness prepared for the faithful and the pure.
-----
Julia (Atwater) West, Caroline (Fix) Wolf, others, and the serenity of Woodlawn Cemetery were recalled in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, 20 June 1877:
Woodlawn Cemetery
[To the Editor]
We attended, a few weeks ago, the funeral of Mrs. Caroline Wolf, a lady whose exemplary life as a mother, wife and christian [sic], called on us to join the procession which was paying this last tribute of respect to her memory. The interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. We lingered after others had departed, to take a view of this resting place of the departed.
The afternoon was bewitching. The long-continued rains had ceased on the previous day and the freshness of spring was in very tree and shrub, and the birds were singing amid then green foliage. We strolled over the ground. Many elegant monuments are there. We paused, a few moments, before a neat slab which indicated the place of rest of Richard Sappington. We had known him well. He attained a happy old age. It was pleasant, there, to recount his virtues and be able to say, here rests one who was honest, trustworthy, and with scarce a fault-a christian [sic] who in his last moments could hopefully say, "home is near now, weep not, but follow on." Further on a pure white marble, within the enclosure of which were beautiful flowers, tokens of love, showed the spot where we had seen deposited the last remains of a youth of genius and promise, young George Burnett, called away whilst yet young. We recalled how many pleasant moments we had spent with this interesting child and we also recalled how many fond hopes were crushed when mother earth took to her bosom this gifted youth.
The name of Julia A. West, newly inscribed on a monument of faultless grace, attracted our attention. With that name we had always associated love and devotion to family and a self-sacrifice for others. We recalled that pleasant home hallowed by her presence, and we recalled a just tribute to her worth when, fifteen years ago, we heard the husband say that his marriage day had proved "the blessed day of his life." Her memory is fondly cherished by husband and children. Several beloved children had preceded her, and in her christian [sic] faith, she could well believe that they would be the first to meet her in heaven.
Of the departed, space will not allow us to say more, now, though we would gladly allude to the resting place of Mrs. Armbruster and others, embellished with many beautiful tokens of love, evincing "how sweet is the cherished memory of the loved and lost."
In these grounds little gardens of rare flowers abound, and wreaths and crowns of immortelles are seen everywhere. Among the varied forest trees are planted firs, cedars, pines and junipers. How beautifully romantic these grounds be. There is scarce an acres but has a beauty peculiar to itself. You may have sunshine, or if you prefer, you may find the deep wood where the mourner can seek the luxury of solitary grief. As we passed along the shaded paths of this silent city of the dead it occurred to us that this region could afford few more lovely, more tranquil or more sacred spots ht [sic] ... place to take our rest.
M
According to the brochure, HISTORIC TOUR OF ST. LOUIS STREET, sponsored by Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. and Mrs. West built the Italianate & Greek Revival-style brick home at 627 St. Louis Street. Circa 1875 as a wedding gift, they presented their daughter and son-in-law, William Flavius Lester and Mary (West) Hadley, with the property and house across the street from their home. Today this Hadley House at 708 St. Louis Street serves as the home of the Edwardsville–Glen Carbon school district.
---
Mrs. West's obituary, Intelligencer 7 March 1877, follows:
DIED – On the 3d Inst., in this city, Mrs. Julia A. West, wife of Hon. E. M. West, and daughter of the late Joshua Atwater.
The funeral services took place at the resident on the 5th, in presence of a large audience of friends how had come to evidence their esteem for the memory of the departed.
The services were conducted by Rev. F. A. Hoyt, of the M. E. church, assisted by Rev. Dr. Root [sic] of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Jub. Hogan of St. Louis.
From a paper read on the occasion by Judge H. K. Eaton, we get the following facts:
Mrs. West was born near Collinsville, on the 5th of March, 1817, and has always lived in St. Clair and Madison counties, and at the time of her decease had probably lived longer in Edwardsville than anyone who ever resided in this city.
Received into the M. E. church by Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, when ten years of age, she became one of the first class of that church in 1827, of which Rev. Richard Randle, now of Salem, Illinois, was the leader. She was the last surviving member of the twenty persons who formed that society.
Knowing her intimately well for over forty years, I can say that I never knew a person of purer life than hers. She loved truth and practiced it as perfectly as can be done in human life, guided by a clear intellect, and aided by Divine wisdom and strength. For fifty years she was a christian in all that word means, uniform in her experience and settled in her convictions of Bible truth. Without pretense and peculiarly conscientious, she never said anything which her judgment did not approve, nor did anything that her conscience condemned. Never were parents blessed with a better child –a husband with a truer wife, or children with a more loving mother. All who came within her influence were impressed with the dignity and excellence of her character. For forty-two years she had made her home a place of holy joy to her family, and of welcome to her friends and acquaintances. All who knew her esteemed her, and they who knew her best loved her most.
Although an invalid for two years, her sick chamber was the most cheerful room in the household. She suffered without complaining, and was cheerful and happy where many find cause of despondency and sorrow. Of ripe and cultivated intellect and discerning christian faith, she found sources of enjoyment and cause of hope and gratitude where many feel discouragement and sadness.
Of nine children two survive her, and a husband who will never cense [sic] to love and cherish her memory as the richest treasure of life.
The day, which would have completed the sixtieth year of her age, finds many loving friends gather to bear her from her pleasant home to her last resting place. While she leaves to the church in Edwardsville, of which she was a member for fifty years, the valued legacy of a holy and useful life, and to her family and friends the sweet memories of affection and benevolence, and rising to a higher and heavenly life, and joining many loved and kindred spirits, will enter that rest of joy and blessedness prepared for the faithful and the pure.
-----
Julia (Atwater) West, Caroline (Fix) Wolf, others, and the serenity of Woodlawn Cemetery were recalled in the Edwardsville Intelligencer, 20 June 1877:
Woodlawn Cemetery
[To the Editor]
We attended, a few weeks ago, the funeral of Mrs. Caroline Wolf, a lady whose exemplary life as a mother, wife and christian [sic], called on us to join the procession which was paying this last tribute of respect to her memory. The interment was at Woodlawn cemetery. We lingered after others had departed, to take a view of this resting place of the departed.
The afternoon was bewitching. The long-continued rains had ceased on the previous day and the freshness of spring was in very tree and shrub, and the birds were singing amid then green foliage. We strolled over the ground. Many elegant monuments are there. We paused, a few moments, before a neat slab which indicated the place of rest of Richard Sappington. We had known him well. He attained a happy old age. It was pleasant, there, to recount his virtues and be able to say, here rests one who was honest, trustworthy, and with scarce a fault-a christian [sic] who in his last moments could hopefully say, "home is near now, weep not, but follow on." Further on a pure white marble, within the enclosure of which were beautiful flowers, tokens of love, showed the spot where we had seen deposited the last remains of a youth of genius and promise, young George Burnett, called away whilst yet young. We recalled how many pleasant moments we had spent with this interesting child and we also recalled how many fond hopes were crushed when mother earth took to her bosom this gifted youth.
The name of Julia A. West, newly inscribed on a monument of faultless grace, attracted our attention. With that name we had always associated love and devotion to family and a self-sacrifice for others. We recalled that pleasant home hallowed by her presence, and we recalled a just tribute to her worth when, fifteen years ago, we heard the husband say that his marriage day had proved "the blessed day of his life." Her memory is fondly cherished by husband and children. Several beloved children had preceded her, and in her christian [sic] faith, she could well believe that they would be the first to meet her in heaven.
Of the departed, space will not allow us to say more, now, though we would gladly allude to the resting place of Mrs. Armbruster and others, embellished with many beautiful tokens of love, evincing "how sweet is the cherished memory of the loved and lost."
In these grounds little gardens of rare flowers abound, and wreaths and crowns of immortelles are seen everywhere. Among the varied forest trees are planted firs, cedars, pines and junipers. How beautifully romantic these grounds be. There is scarce an acres but has a beauty peculiar to itself. You may have sunshine, or if you prefer, you may find the deep wood where the mourner can seek the luxury of solitary grief. As we passed along the shaded paths of this silent city of the dead it occurred to us that this region could afford few more lovely, more tranquil or more sacred spots ht [sic] ... place to take our rest.
M
Inscription
EDWARD M. WEST,
BORN IN VIRGINIA.
DIED OCT 31, 1887.
JULIA ANN,
WIFE OF
EDWARD M. WEST,
DAGUHTER OF
JOSHUA AND REBECCA ATWATER
BORN MAR. 5, 1817.
DIED MAR. 3, 1877.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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